A popular park in Lincolnshire is set to be dug up by Anglian Water to lay a new pipe this summer.

Building works are due to take place at Westgate Fields in Louth to provide water to a new housing estate.

Anglian Water has confirmed work will begin during the school summer holidays ahead of a new housing development in Fulmar Drive. The firm says only around five per cent of the site will be dug up.

One woman who walks her dog on the fields said: “It’s such a nice place to go and walk your dog. It will be a shame if the peacefulness of it is tarnished over the summer. But I guess there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Westgate Fields in Louth is set to be dug up

One man, who did not wish to be named, said: “I can’t believe they are doing it then. We don’t want this lovely spot being ruined in the peak season.”

But one person appeared to accept that only a small percentage of the field would be affected.

He said: “If it’s digging up the whole of the field, then that’s not good but if it’s only a small area then hopefully it won’t be too bad.”

Anglian Water has responded saying it will be doing everything it can to minimise disruption.

A spokesperson said: “We have a duty to extend our water network to serve new homes, which often requires work to install new pipes and infrastructure.

“We understand how popular and well-used the Westgate Fields is by the local community.

“Whenever we carry out work of this nature, it will cause some disruption, and we’re sorry for this. If we could lay pipes without digging up the ground, we would.

Westgate Fields in Louth set to be dug up

“We will be doing everything we can to minimise disruption for the local community and will only be working in a small area of the park.

“This will be well away from the footpath and involve laying one section of pipe at a time and backfilling the ground before moving on.

“One section of the scheme involves crossing one of the main roads in Louth.

“We decided to undertake the work in the summer holidays when the roads are quieter and the schools are off to minimise any inconvenience for road users and local families.

“We want to have as little impact as possible on the parkland and are committed to ensuring it is returned to the same standard as before the work began.”